第6章

ItgrewdarksoonafterwardandtheywentintothehousetoseeMrs。Came’snewlamplightedforthefirsttime，toexamineherlastdrawn-inrug（awonderfulachievementproducedentirelyfromdyedflannelpetticoats），andtohearthedoctor’swifeplay"OftintheStillNight，"onthedulcimer。

Astheyclosedthesitting-roomdooropeningonthepiazzafacingthebarn，thewomenheardthecowcoughingandsaidtooneanother："Buttercupwastoogreedy，andnowshehasindigestion。"

Elishaalwayswenttobedatsundown，andUncleCashhadgonetothedoctor’stohavehishanddressed，forhehadhurtitissomewayinthethreshing-machine。BillPeters，thehiredman，cameinpresentlyandaskedforhim，sayingthatthecowcoughedmoreandmore，anditmustbethatsomethingwaswrong，buthecouldnotgethertoopenhermouthwideenoughforhimtoseeanything。

"She’dupan’dieruther’nobleegeanybody，thattarnal，uglycowwould！"hesaid。

WhenUncleCashhaddrivenintotheyard，hecameinforalantern，andwentdirectlyouttothebarn。Afterahalf-hourorso，inwhichthelittlepartyhadforgottenthewholeoccurrence，hecameinagain。

"I’mblamedifweain’tgoin’tolosethatcow，"hesaid。"Comeout，willye，Hannah，andholdthelantern？Ican’tdoanythingwithmyrighthandinasling，andBillisthestupidestcritterinthecountry。"

Everybodywentouttothebarnaccordingly，exceptthedoctor’swife，whoranovertoherhousetoseeifherbrotherMoseshadcomehomefromMilltown，andcouldcomeandtakeahandintheexercises。

Buttercupwasinabadway；therewasnodoubtofit。Something，oneoftheturnips，presumably，hadlodgedinherthroat，andwouldmoveneitherway，despiteherattemptstodislodgeit。Herbreathingwaslabored，andhereyesbloodshotfromstrainingandchoking。Onceortwicetheysucceededingettinghermouthpartlyopen，butbeforetheycouldfairlydiscoverthecauseoftroubleshehadwrestedherheadaway。

"Icanseealittletuftofgreenstickingstraightupinthemiddle，"saidUncleCash，whileBillPetersandMosesheldalanternoneachsideofButtercup’shead；"but，land！It’ssofardown，andsuchamiteofathing，Icouldn’tgitit，evenifI

couldusemyrighthand。S’poseyoutry，Bill。"

Billhemmedandhawed，andconfessedhedidn’tcaretotry。

Buttercup’sgrinderswereofgoodsizeandexcellentquality，andhehadnofancyforleavinghishandwithinherjaws。Hesaidhewasnogoodatthatkindofwork，butthathewouldhelpUncleCashholdthecow’shead；thatwasjustasnecessary，andconsiderablesafer。

Moseswasmoreinclinedtotheserviceofhumanity，anddidhisbest，wrappinghiswristinacloth，andmakingdesperatebutineffectualdabsattheslipperygreenturnip-topsinthereluctantlyopenedthroat。ButthecowtossedherheadandstampedherfeetandswitchedhertailandwriggledfromunderBill’shands，sothatitseemedaltogetherimpossibletoreachtheseatofthetrouble。

UncleCashwasindespair，fumingandfrettingthemorebecauseofhisowncrippledhand。

"Hitchup，Bill，："hesaid，"and，Hannah，youdriveovertoMilliken’sMillsforthehorse-doctor。Iknowwecangitoutthatturnipifwecanhitontherighttoolsandsomebodytomanageemright；butwe’vegottobequickaboutitorthecritter’llchoketodeath，sure！Yourhand’ssoclumsy，Mose，shethinkshertime’scomewhenshefeelsitinhermouth，andyourfingersaresobigyoucan’tketchholto’thatgreenstuffthoutitsslippin’！"

"Mineain’tbig；letmetry，"saidatimidvoice，andturninground，theysawlittleElishaSimpson，histrouserspulledonoverhisnight-shirt，hiscurlyhairruffled，hiseyesvaguewithsleep。

UncleCashgavealaughofgood-humoredderision。"You——that’safraidtodriveacowtopasture？No，sir；youhain’tgotsandenoughforthisjob，Iguess！"

Buttercupjustthengaveaworsecoughthanever，andhereyesrolledinherheadasifsheweregivinguptheghost。

"I’dratherdoitthanseeherchoketodeath！"criedtheboy，indespair。

"Then，byginger，youcantryit，sonny！"saidUncleCash。"Nowthistimewe’lltieherheadup。Takeitslow，andmakeagoodjobofit。"

AccordinglytheypriedpoorButtercup’sjawsopentoputawoodengagbetweenthem，tiedherheadup，andkeptherasstillastheycouldwhilethewomenheldthelanterns。

"Now，sonny，stripupyoursleeveandreachasfurdown’syoucan！Windyourlittlefingersinamongthatgreenstuffstickin’

uptherethatain’thardlybigenoughtocallgreenstuff，giveitatwist，andpullforallyou’reworth。Land！Whataskinnylittlepipestem！"

TheLittleProphethadstrippeduphissleeve。Itwasaslenderthing，hisarm；buthehaddriventheredcowallsummer，bornehertantrums，protectedherfromtheconsequencesofherownobstinacy，taking（ashethought）afutureowner’sprideinhersplendidflowofmilk——grownfondofher，inaword，andnowshewaschokingtodeath。Askinnylittlepipestemiscapableofadealatsuchatime，andonlyaslenderhandandarmcouldhavedonethework。

Elishatrembledwithnervousness，buthemadeadexterousanddashingentranceintotheawfulcavernofButtercup’smouth；

descendeduponthetinyclumpofgreenspillsorspikes，woundhislittlefingersinamongthemasfirmlyashecould，andthengavealong，steady，determinedpullwithallthestrengthinthisbody。Thatwasnotsomuchinitself，tobesure，butheborrowedagooddealmorefromsomereservequarter，thelocationofwhichnobodyknowsanythingabout，butuponwhicheverybodydrawsintimeofneed。

SuchavaliantpullyouwouldneverhaveexpectedoftheLittleProphet。Suchapullitwasthat，tohisownutteramazement，hesuddenlyfoundhimselflyingflatonhisbackonthebarnfloorwithaveryslipperysomethinginhishand，andafair-sizedbutratherdilapidatedturnipattheendofit。

"That’sthebusiness！"criedMoses。

"Icould’a’doneitaseasyasnothin’ifmyarmhadbeenaleetlemitesmaller，"saidBillPeters。

"You’reatrump，sonny！"exclaimedUncleCash，ashehelpedMosesuntieButtercup’sheadandtookthegagout。

"You’reatrump，Lisha，and，byginger，thecow’syour’n；onlydon’tyouletyourblessedpadrinknoneofhercream！"

ThewelcomeairrushedintoButtercup’slungsandcooledherparched，tornthroat。Shewasprettynearlyspent，poorthing，andbentherhead（rathergentlyforher）overtheLittleProphet’sshoulderashethrewhisarmsjoyfullyaboutherneck，andwhispered，"You’remytrulycownow，ain’tyou，Buttercup？"

"Mrs。Baxter，dear，"saidRebecca，astheywalkedhometotheparsonagetogetherundertheyoungharvestmoon；"thereareallsortsofcowards，aren’tthere，anddon’tyouthinkElishaisoneofthebestkind。"

"Idon’tquiteknowwhattothinkaboutcowards，RebeccaRowena，"

saidtheminister’swifehesitatingly。"TheLittleProphetisthethirdcowardIhaveknowninmyshortlifewhoturnedouttobeaherowhentherealtestingtimecame。Meanwhiletheheroesthemselves——ortheonesthatweretakenforheroes——werealwaysbusydoingsomething，orbeingsomewhere，else。"

EighthChronicleABNERSIMPSON’SNEWLEAF

RebeccahadnowcutthebondsthatboundhertotheRiverborodistrictschool，andhadbeenforaweekafull-fledgedpupilattheWarehamSeminary，towardswhichgoalshehadbeenspeedingeversincethememorabledaywhensherodeintoRiverboroonthetopofUncleJerryCobb’sstagecoach，andtoldhimthateducationwasintendedtobe"themakingofher。"

Shewenttoandfro，withEmmaJaneandtheotherRiverboroboysandgirls，onthemorningandeveningtrainsthatranbetweentheacademytownandMilliken’sMills。

Thesixdayshadpassedlikeadream！——adreaminwhichshesatincornerswithhereyescastdown；flushedwhenevershewasaddressed；stammeredwheneversheansweredaquestion，andnearlydiedofheartfailurewhensubjectedtoanexaminationofanysort。Shedelightedthecommitteewhenreadingatsightfrom"KingLear，"butsomewhatdiscouragedthemwhenshecouldnottellthecapitaloftheUnitedStates。Sheadmittedthatherformerteacher，MissDearborn，mighthavementionedit，butifsoshehadnotrememberedit。

Inthesefirstweeksamongstrangersshepassedfornothingbutaninteresting-looking，timid，innocent，countrychild，neverrevealing，eventothefar-seeingEmilyMaxwell，ahintofheroriginality，facility，orpowerinanydirection。Rebeccawasfourteen，butsoslight，andundertheparalyzingnewconditionssoshy，thatshewouldhavebeenmistakenfortwelvehaditnotbeenforhergeneraladvancementintheschoolcurriculum。

Growingupinthesolitudeofaremotefarmhouse，transplantedtoatinyvillagewhereshelivedwithtwoelderlyspinsters，shewasstilltheveriestchildinallbutthepracticaldutiesandresponsibilitiesoflife；inthoseshehadlongbeenawoman。

ItwasSaturdayafternoon；herlessonsforMondaywerealllearnedandsheburstintothebrickhousesitting-roomwiththeflushedfaceandembarrassedmienthatalwaysforeshadowedarequest。Requestsweremorecommonlyansweredinthenegativethanintheaffirmativeatthebrickhouse，afactthataccountedfortheslightconfusioninherdemeanor。

"AuntMiranda，"shebegan，"thefishmansaysthatClaraBelleSimpsonwantstoseemeverymuch，butMrs。Foggcan’tspareherlongatatime，youknow，onaccountofthebabybeingnobetter；

butClaraBellecouldwalkamileup，andIamiledowntheroad，andwecouldmeetatthepinkhousehalfway。Thenwecouldrestandtalkanhourorso，andbothbebackintimeforoursuppers。

I’vefedthecat；shehadnoappetite，asit’sonlytwoo’clockandshehadherdinneratnoon，butshe’llgobacktohersaucer，andit’soffmymind。IcouldgodowncellarnowandbringupthecookiesandthepieanddoughnutsforsupperbeforeIstart。AuntJanesawnoobjection；butwethoughtI’dbetteraskyousoastorunnorisks。"

MirandaSawyer，whohadbeenpatientlywaitingfortheendofthisspeech，laiddownherknittingandraisedhereyeswithahalf-resignedexpressionthatmeant：Isthereanythingunusualinheavenorearthorthewatersundertheearththatthischilddoesnotwanttodo？Willsheeversettledowntoplain，comprehensibleSawyerways，orwillshetotheendmakethesesuddenandradicalpropositions，suggestingateveryturntheirresponsibleRandallancestry？

"Youknowwellenough，Rebecca，thatIdon’tlikeyoutobeintimatewithAbnerSimpson’syoungones，"shesaiddecisively。

"Theyain’tfitcompanyforanybodythat’sgotSawyerbloodintheirveins，ifit’seversolittle。Idon’tknow，I’msure，howyou’regoin’toturnout！Thefishpeddlerseemstobeyourbestfriend，withoutit’sAbijahFlaggthatyou’reeverlastinglytalkin’tolately。Ishouldthinkyou’dratherreadsomeimprovin’bookthantobechatterin’withSquireBean’schore-boy！"

"Heisn’talwaysgoingtobeachore-boy，"explainedRebecca，"andthat’swhatwe’reconsidering。It’shiscareerwetalkabout，andhehasn’tgotanyfatherormothertoadvisehim。

Besides，ClaraBellekindofbelongstothevillagenowthatsheliveswithMrs。Fogg；andshewasalwaysthebestbehavedofallthegirls，eitherinschoolorSunday-school。Childrencan’thelphavingfathers！"

"EverybodysaysAbneristurningoveranewleaf，andifso，thefamily’doughttobeencouragedeverypossibleway，"saidMissJane，enteringtheroomwithhermendingbasketinhand。

"IfAbnerSimpsonisturnin’overaleaf，oranythin’elseincreation，it’sonlytoseewhat’sontheunderside！"remarkedMissMirandapromptly。"Don’ttalktomeaboutnewleaves！Youcan’tchangethatkindofaman；heiswhatheis，andyoucan’tmakehimnodifferent！"

"ThegraceofGodcandoconsid’rable，"observedJanepiously。

"Iain’tsayin’butitcanifitsetsout，butithastobeginearlyandstaylateonamanlikeSimpson。"

"Now，Mirandy，Abnerain’tmore’nforty！Idon’tknowwhattheaverageageforrepentanceisinmen-folks，butwhenyouthinkofwhatanawfulsightofemleavesittotheirdeathbeds，fortyseemsrealkindofyoung。NotthatI’veheardAbnerhasexperiencedreligion，buteverybody’ssurprisedatthegoodwayhe’sconductin’thisfall。"

"They’llbesurprisedtheotherwayroundwhentheycometomisstheirfirewoodandapplesandpotatoesagain，"affirmedMiranda。

"ClaraBelledon’tseemtohaveinheritedfromherfather，"Janeventuredagaintimidly。"NowonderMrs。Foggsetssuchstorebythegirl。Ifithadn’tbeenforher，thebabywouldhavebeendeadbynow。"

"Perhapstryin’tosaveitwasinterferin’withtheLord’swill，"

wasMiranda’sretort。

"Folkscan’tstoptofigureoutjustwhat’stheLord’swillwhenachildhasupsetakettleofscaldingwaterontohimself，"andasshespokeJanedarnedmoreexcitedly。"Mrs。Foggknowswellenoughshehadn’toughttohaveleftthatbabyaloneinthekitchenwiththestove，evenifshedidseeClaraBellecomin’

acrosslots。She’doughttohavewaitedbeforedrivin’off；butofcourseshewasafraidofmissingthetrain，andshe’stoogoodawomantobeheldaccountable。"

"Theminister’swifesaysClaraBelleisareal——Ican’tthinkoftheword！"chimedinRebecca。"What’sthefemaleofhero？

Whateveritis，that’swhatMrs。Baxtercalledher！"

"ClaraBelle’sthefemaleofSimpson；that’swhatsheis，"MissMirandaasserted；"butshe’sbeenbroughtuptouseherwits，andIain’tsayin’butsheusedem。"

"Ishouldsayshedid！"exclaimedMissJane；"toputthatscreaming，sufferingchildinthebaby-carriageandrunallthewaytothedoctor’swhentherewasn’tasoulonhandtoadviseher！TwoorthreemoresuchactionswouldmaketheSimpsonnamesoundconsid’rablesweeterinthisneighborhood。"

"SimpsonwillalwayssoundlikeSimpsontome！"vouchsafedtheeldersister，"butwe’vetalkedenoughabouteman’tospare。Youcangoalong，Rebecca；butrememberthatachildisknownbythecompanyshekeeps。"

"Allright，AuntMiranda；thankyou！"criedRebecca，leapingfromthechaironwhichshehadbeentwistingnervouslyforfiveminutes。"Andhowdoesthisstrikeyou？WouldyoubeinfavorofmytakingClaraBelleacompany-tart？"

"Don’tMrs。Foggfeedtheyoungone，nowshe’stakenherrightintothefamily？"

"Oh，yes，"Rebeccaanswered，"shehaslovelythingstoeat，andMrs。Foggwon’tevenletherdrinkskimmilk；butIalwaysfeelthattakingapresentletsthepersonknowyou’vebeenthinkingaboutthemandareextragladtoseethem。Besides，unlesswehavecompanysoon，thosetartswillhavetobeeatenbythefamily，andanewbatchmade；youremembertheoneIhadwhenI

wasrewardingmyselflastweek？Thatwasqueer——butnice，"sheaddedhastily。

"Mebbeyoucouldthinkofsomethingofyourownyoucouldgiveawaywithouttakingmytarts！"respondedMirandatersely；thejointsofherarmorhavingbeenpiercedbythefatallykeentongueofherniece，whohadinsinuatedthatcompany-tartslastedalongtimeinthebrickhouse。Thiswasafact；indeed，thecompany-tartwassonamed，notfromanyideathatitwouldeverbeeatenbyguests，butbecauseitwastoogoodforevery-dayuse。

Rebecca’sfacecrimsonedwithshamethatshehaddriftedintoanimpoliteand，whatwasworse，anapparentlyungratefulspeech。

"Ididn’tmeantosayanythingnotnice，AuntMiranda，"shestammered。"Trulythetartwassplendid，butnotexactlylikenew，that’sall。Andoh！IknowwhatIcantakeClaraBelle！A

fewchocolatedropsoutoftheboxMr。Laddgavemeonmybirthday。"

"Yougodowncellarandgetthattart，sameasItoldyou，"

commandedMiranda，"andwhenyoufillitdon’tuncoveranewtumblerofjelly；there’ssomedried-applepreservesopenthat’lldo。Wearyourrubbersandyourthickjacket。Afterrunnin’allthewaydownthere——foryourlegsneverseemtoberiggedforwalkin’likeothergirls’——you’llsetdownonsomedampstoneorotherandketchyourdeatho’cold，an’yourAuntJanen’I’llbekep’upnightsnursin’youandluggin’yourmealsupstairstoyouonawaiter。"

HereMirandaleanedherheadagainstthebackofherrockingchair，droppedherknittingandclosedhereyeswearily，forwhentheimmovablebodyisopposedbytheirresistibleforcethereisacertainamountofjaranddisturbanceinvolvedintheoperation。

Rebeccamovedtowardthesidedoor，shootingaquestioningglanceatAuntJaneasshepassed。Thelookwasfullofmysterioussuggestionandwasaccompaniedbyanalmostimperceptiblegesture。MissJaneknewthatcertainarticleswerekeptintheentrycloset，andbythistimeshehadbecomesufficientlyexpertintelegraphytoknowthatRebecca’sunspokenquerymeant："COULD

YOUPERMITTHEHATWITHTHEREDWINGS，ITBEINGSATURDAY，FINE

SETTLEDWEATHER，ANDAPLEASUREEXCURSION？"

Theseconfidentialrequests，thoughfraughtwithembarrassmentwhenMirandawasintheroom，gaveJanemuchsecretjoy；therewassomethingaboutthemthatstirredherspinsterheart——theyweresogay，soappealing，soun-Sawyer-，un-Riverboro-like。ThelongerRebeccalivedinthebrickhousethemoreherAuntJanemarveledatthechild。Whatmadehersodifferentfromeverybodyelse。Coulditbethathergracelesspopinjayofafather，LorenzodeMediciRandall，hadbequeathedhersomestrangecombinationofgiftsinsteadoffortune？Hereyes，herbrows，thecolorofherlips，theshapeofherface，aswellasherwaysandwords，proclaimedherachangelingintheSawyertribe；butwhatanenchantingchangeling；bringingwitandnonsenseandcoloranddelightintothegraymonotonyofthedraggingyears！

Therewasfrostintheair，butabrightcheerysun，asRebeccawalkeddecorouslyoutofthebrickhouseyard。EmmaJanePerkinswasawayoverSundayonavisittoacousininModeration；AliceRobinsonandCandaceMillikenwerehavingmeasles，andRiverborowasveryquiet。Still，lifewasseldomanythingbutagayadventuretoRebecca，andshestartedafresheverymorningtoitsconquest。Shewasnotexacting；theAsmodeanfeatofspinningasandheapintotwinewas，poeticallyspeaking，alwaysinherpower，sothemilewalktothepink-housegate，andthetrystwithfreckled，red-hairedClaraBelleSimpson，whosefaceMissMirandasaidlookedlikearawpieinabrickoven，thesecommonplaceincidentsweresufficientlyexhilaratingtobrightenhereyeandquickenherstep。

Asthegreatbarehorse-chestnutnearthepink-housegateloomedintoview，theredlinsey-woolseyspeckgoingdowntheroadspiedthebluelinsey-woolseyspeckcomingup，andbothspecksflewovertheinterveningdistanceand，meeting，embracedeachotherardently，somewhattotheinjuryofthecompany-tart。

"Didn’titcomeoutsplendidly？"exclaimedRebecca。"Iwassoafraidthefishmanwouldn’ttellyoutostartexactlyattwo，orthatoneofuswouldwalkfasterthantheother；butwemetattheveryspot！Itwasaveryuncommonidea，wasn’tit？Almostromantic！"

"Andwhatdoyouthink？"askedClaraBelleproudly。"Lookatthis！Mrs。Fogglentmeherwatchtocomehomeby！"

"Oh，ClaraBelle，howwonderful！Mrs。Fogggetskinderandkindertoyou，doesn’tshe？You’renothomesickanymore，areyou？"

"No-o；notreally；onlywhenIrememberthere’sonlylittleSusantomanagethetwins；thoughthey’regettingonrealwellwithoutme。ButIkindofthink，Rebecca，thatI’mgoingtobegivenawaytotheFoggsforgood。"

"Doyoumeanadopted？"

"Yes；Ithinkfather’sgoingtosignpapers。Youseewecan’ttellhowmanyyearsit’llbebeforethepoorbabyoutgrowsitsburns，andMrs。Fogg’llneverbethesameagain，andshemusthavesomebodytohelpher。"

"You’llbetheirrealdaughter，then，won’tyou，ClaraBelle？AndMr。Foggisadeacon，andaselectman，andaroadcommissioner，andeverythingsplendid。"

"Yes；I’llhaveboard，andclothes，andschool，andbenamedFogg，and"（herehervoicesanktoanawedwhisper）"theupperfarmifIshouldevergetmarried；MissDearborntoldmethatherself，whenshewaspersuadingmenottomindbeinggivenaway。"

"ClaraBelleSimpson！"exclaimedRebeccainatransport。"Who’dhavethoughtyou’dbeafemaleheroandanheiressbesides？It’sjustlikeabookstory，andithappenedinRiverboro。I’llmakeUncleJerryCobballowthereCANbeRiverborostories，youseeifIdon’t。"

"OfcourseIknowit’sallright，"ClaraBellerepliedsoberly。

"I’llhaveagoodhomeandfathercan’tkeepusall；butit’skindofdreadfultobegivenaway，likeapianoorahorseandcarriage！"

Rebecca’shandwentoutsympatheticallytoClaraBelle’sfreckledpaw。Suddenlyherownfacecloudedandshewhispered：

"I’mnotsure，ClaraBelle，butI’mgivenawaytoo——doyous’poseIam？Poorfatherleftusindebt，yousee。IthoughtIcameawayfromSunnybrooktogetaneducationandthenhelppayoffthemortgage；butmotherdoesn’tsayanythingaboutmycomingback，andourfamily’soneofthosetoo-bigones，youknow，justlikeyours。"

"Didyourmothersignpaperstoyouraunts？’

"IfshedidIneverheardanythingaboutit；butthere’ssomethingpinnedontothemortgagethatmotherkeepsinthedrawerofthebookcase。"

"You’dknowitiftwasadoptionpapers；Iguessyou’rejustlent，"ClaraBellesaidcheeringly。"Idon’tbelieveanybody’devergiveYOUaway！And，oh！Rebecca，father’sgettingonsowell！HeworksonDaly’sfarmwheretheyraiselotsofhorsesandcattle，too，andhebreaksalltheyoungcoltsandtrainsthem，andswapsoffthepoorones，anddrivesalloverthecountry。

DalytoldMr。Fogghewassplendidwithstock，andfathersaysit’sjustlikeplay。He’ssenthomemoneythreeSaturdaynights。"

"I’msoglad！"exclaimedRebeccasympathetically。"Nowyourmother’llhaveagoodtimeandablacksilkdress，won’tshe？"

"Idon’tknow，"sighedClaraBelle，andhervoicewasgrave。

"EversinceIcanremembershe’sjustwashedandcriedandcriedandwashed。MissDearbornhasbeenspendinghervacationuptoAcreville，youknow，andshecameyesterdaytoboardnextdoortoMrs。Fogg’s。IheardthemtalkinglastnightwhenIwasgettingthebabytosleep——Icouldn’thelpit，theyweresoclose——andMissDearbornsaidmotherdoesn’tlikeAcreville；shesaysnobodytakesanynoticeofher，andtheydon’tgiveheranymorework。

Mrs。Foggsaid，well，theyweredreadfulstiffandparticularupthatwayandtheylikedwomentohaveweddingrings。"

"Hasn’tyourmothergotaweddingring？"askedRebecca，astonished。"Why，IthoughteverybodyHADtohavethem，justastheydosofasandakitchenstove！"

"Inevernoticedshedidn’thaveone，butwhentheyspokeI

rememberedmother’shandswashingandwringing，andshedoesn’twearone，Iknow。Shehasn’tgotanyjewelry，notevenabreast-pin。"

"Rebecca’stonewassomewhatcensorious，"yourfather’sbeensopoorperhapshecouldn’taffordbreast-pins，butIshouldhavethoughthe’dhavegivenyourmotheraweddingringwhentheyweremarried；that’sthetimetodoit，rightattheveryfirst。"

"Theydidn’thaveanyrealchurchdress-upwedding，"explainedClaraBelleextenuatingly。"Youseethefirstmother，mine，hadthebigboysandme，andthenshediedwhenwewerelittle。Thenafterawhilethismothercametohousekeep，andshestayed，andbyandbyshewasMrs。Simpson，andSusanandthetwinsandthebabyarehers，andsheandfatherdidn’thavetimeforaregularweddinginchurch。Theydon’thaveveilsandbridesmaidsandrefreshmentsroundherelikeMissDearborn’ssisterdid。"

"Dotheycostagreatdeal——weddingrings？"askedRebeccathoughtfully。"They’resolidgold，soIs’posetheydo。Iftheywerecheapwemightbuyone。I’vegotseventy-fourcentssavedup；howmuchhaveyou？"

"Fifty-three，"ClaraBelleresponded，inadepressingtone；"andanywaytherearenostoresnearerthanMilltown。We’dhavetobuyitsecretly，forIwouldn’tmakefatherangry，orshamehispride，nowhe’sgotsteadywork；andmotherwouldknowIhadspentallmysavings。"

Rebeccalookednonplussed。"Ideclare，"shesaid，"IthinktheAcrevillepeoplemustbeperfectlyhorridnottocallonyourmotheronlybecauseshehasn’tgotanyjewelry。Youwouldn’tdaretellyourfatherwhatMissDearbornheard，sohe’dsaveupandbuythering？"

"No；Icertainlywouldnot！"andClaraBelle’slipsclosedtightlyanddecisively。

Rebeccasatquietlyforafewmoments，thensheexclaimedjubilantly："Iknowwherewecouldgetit！FromMr。Aladdin，andthenIneedn’ttellhimwhoit’sfor！He’scomingtostayovertomorrowwithhisaunt，andI’llaskhimtobuyaringforusinBoston。Iwon’texplainanything，youknow；I’lljustsayIneedaweddingring。"

"Thatwouldbeperfectlylovely，"repliedClaraBelle，alookofhopedawninginhereyes；"andwecanthinkafterwardshowtogetitovertomother。Perhapsyoucouldsendittofatherinstead，butIwouldn’tdaretodoitmyself。Youwon’ttellanybody，Rebecca？"

"Crossmyheart！"Rebeccaexclaimeddramatically；andthenwithareproachfullook，"youknowIcouldn’trepeatasacredsecretlikethat！ShallwemeetnextSaturdayafternoon，andItellyouwhat’shappened？——Why，ClaraBelle，isn’tthatMr。Laddwateringhishorseatthefootofthehillthisveryminute？Itis；andhe’sdrivenupfromMilltownsteadofcomingonthetrainfromBostontoEdgewood。He’sallalone，andIcanridehomewithhimandaskhimabouttheringrightaway！"

ClaraBellekissedRebeccafervently，andstartedonherhomewardwalk，whileRebeccawaitedatthetopofthelonghill，flutteringherhandkerchiefasasignal。

"Mr。Aladdin！Mr。Aladdin！"shecried，asthehorseandwagoncamenearer。

AdamLadddrewupquicklyatthesoundoftheeageryoungvoice。

"Well，well；hereisRebeccaRowenaflutteringalongthehighroadlikeared-wingedblackbird！Areyougoingtoflyhome，ordrivewithme？"

Rebeccaclamberedintothecarriage，laughingandblushingwithdelightathisnonsenseandwithjoyatseeinghimagain。

"ClaraBelleandIwerejusttalkingaboutyouthisminute，andI’msogladyoucamethisway，forthere’ssomethingveryimportanttoaskyouabout，"shebegan，ratherbreathlessly。

"Nodoubt，"laughedAdamLadd，whohadbecome，inthecourseofhisacquaintancewithRebecca，asortofhighcourtofappeals；

"Ihopethepremiumbanquetlampdoesn’tsmokeasitgrowsolder？"

"Now，Mr。Aladdin，youWILLnotremembernicely。Mr。SimpsonswappedoffthebanquetlampwhenhewasmovingthefamilytoAcreville；it’snotthelampatall，butonce，whenyouwereherelasttime，yousaidyou’dmakeupyourmindwhatyouweregoingtogivemeforChristmas。"

"Well，"and"Idorememberthatmuchquitenicely。"

"Well，isitbought？"

"No，IneverbuyChristmaspresentsbeforeThanksgiving。"

"Then，DEARMr。Aladdin，wouldyoubuymesomethingdifferent，somethingthatIwanttogiveaway，andbuyitalittlesoonerthanChristmas？"

"Thatdepends。Idon’trelishhavingmyChristmaspresentsgivenaway。Iliketohavethemkeptforeverinlittlegirls’bureaudrawers，allwrappedinpinktissuepaper；butexplainthematterandperhapsI’llchangemymind。Whatisityouwant？"

"Ineedaweddingringdreadfully，"saidRebecca，"butit’sasacredsecret。"

AdamLadd’seyesflashedwithsurpriseandhesmiledtohimselfwithpleasure。Hadheonhislistofacquaintances，heaskedhimself，apersonofanyageorsexsoaltogetherirresistibleanduniqueasthischild？Thenheturnedtofaceherwiththemerryteasinglookthatmadehimsodelightfultoyoungpeople。

"Ithoughtitwasperfectlyunderstoodbetweenus，"hesaid，"thatifyoucouldevercontrivetogrowupandIwerewillingtowait，thatIwastorideuptothebrickhouseonmysnowwhite"——

"Coalblack，"correctedRebecca，withasparklingeyeandawarningfinger。

"Coalblackcharger；putagoldencircletonyourlilywhitefinger，drawyouupbehindmeonmypillion"——

"AndEmmaJane，too，"Rebeccainterrupted。

"IthinkIdidn’tmentionEmmaJane，"arguedMr。Aladdin。"Threeonapillionisveryuncomfortable。IthinkEmmaJaneleapsonthebackofaprancingchestnut，andweallgoofftomycastleintheforest。"

"EmmaJaneneverleaps，andshe’dbeafraidofaprancingchestnut，"objectedRebecca。

"Thensheshallhaveagentlecream-coloredpony；butnow，withoutanyexplanation，youaskmetobuyyouaweddingring，whichshowsplainlythatyouareplanningtorideoffonasnowwhite——Imeancoalblack——chargerwithsomebodyelse。"

Rebeccadimpledandlaughedwithjoyatthenonsense。InherprosaicworldnoonebutAdamLaddplayedthegameandansweredthefoolaccordingtohisfolly。Nobodyelsetalkeddeliciousfairy-storytwaddlebutMr。Aladdin。

"Theringisn’tforME！"sheexplainedcarefully。"YouknowverywellthatEmmaJanenorIcan’tbemarriedtillwe’rethroughQuackenbos’sGrammar，Greenleaf’sArithmetic，andbigenoughtowearlongtrailsandrunasewingmachine。Theringisforafriend。"

"Whydoesn’tthegroomgiveittohisbridehimself？"

"Becausehe’spoorandkindofthoughtless，andanywaysheisn’tabrideanymore；shehasthreestepandthreeotherkindofchildren。"

AdamLaddputthewhipbackinthesocketthoughtfully，andthenstoopedtotuckintherugoverRebecca’sfeetandhisown。Whenheraisedhisheadagainheasked："Whynottellmealittlemore，Rebecca？I’msafe！"

Rebeccalookedathim，feelinghiswisdomandstrength，andaboveallhissympathy。Thenshesaidhesitatingly："YourememberI

toldyouallabouttheSimpsonsthatdayonyouraunt’sporchwhenyouboughtthesoapbecauseItoldyouhowthefamilywerealwaysintroubleandhowmuchtheyneededabanquetlamp？Mr。

Simpson，ClaraBelle’sfather，hasalwaysbeenverypoor，andnotalwaysverygood，——alittlebitTHIEVISH，youknow——butoh，sopleasantandnicetotalkto！Andnowhe’sturningoveranewleaf。AndeverybodyinRiverborolikedMrs。Simpsonwhenshecamehereastranger，becausetheyweresorryforherandshewassopatient，andsuchahardworker，andsokindtothechildren。Butwhereshelivesnow，thoughtheyusedtoknowherwhenshewasagirl，they’renotpolitetoheranddon’tgiveherscrubbingandwashing；andClarabelleheardourteachersaytoMrs。FoggthattheAcrevillepeoplewerestiff，anddespisedherbecauseshedidn’twearaweddingring，likealltherest。AndClaraBelleandIthoughtiftheyweresomeanasthat，we’dlovetogiveherone，andthenshe’dbehappierandhavemorework；andperhapsMr。Simpsonifhegetsalongbetterwillbuyherabreast-pinandearrings，andshe’llbefittedoutliketheothers。IknowMrs。

PeterMeserveislookeduptobyeverybodyinEdgewoodonaccountofhergoldbraceletsandmossagatenecklace。"

Adamturnedagaintomeettheluminous，innocenteyesthatglowedunderthedelicatebrowsandlonglashes，feelingashehadmorethanoncefeltbefore，asifhisworldly-wise，grown-upthoughtshadbeenbathedinsomepurifyingspring。

"HowshallyousendtheringtoMrs。Simpson？"heasked，withinterest。

"Wehaven’tsettledyet；ClaraBelle’safraidtodoit，andthinksIcouldmanagebetter。Willtheringcostmuch？Because，ofcourse，ifitdoes，ImustaskAuntJanefirst。TherearethingsIhavetoaskAuntMiranda，andothersthatbelongtoAuntJane。"

"Itcoststhemeresttrifle。I’llbuyoneandbringittoyou，andwe’llconsultaboutit；butIthinkasyou’regreatfriendswithMr。Simpsonyou’dbettersendittohiminaletter，lettersbeingyourstrongpoint！It’sapresentamanoughttogivehisownwife，butit’sworthtrying，Rebecca。YouandClaraBellecanmanageitbetweenyou，andI’llstayinthebackgroundwherenobodywillseeme。"

NinthChronicleTHEGREENISLE

ManyagreenisleneedsmustbeInthedeepseaofmisery，Orthemariner，wornandwan，NeverthuscouldvoyageonDayandnightandnightandday，Driftingonhiswearyway。

ShelleyMeantimeinthesefrostyautumndayslifewascrowdedwitheventsinthelonelySimpsonhouseatAcreville。

Thetumble-downdwellingstoodontheedgeofPliney’sPond；socalledbecauseoldColonelRichardsonlefthislandstobedividedinfiveequalparts，eachsharetobechoseninturnbyoneofhisfivesons，Pliny，theeldest，havingpriorityofchoice。

PlinyRichardson，havinglittletasteforfarming，andbeingardentlyfondoffishing，rowing，andswimming，acteduptohisreputationofbeing"alittlemiteodd，"andtookhiswholetwentyacresinwater——hencePliny’sPond。

TheeldestSimpsonboyhadbeenworkingonafarminCumberlandCountyfortwoyears。Samuel，generallydubbed"see-saw，"hadlatelyfoundahumbleplaceinashinglemillandwaspartiallyself-supporting。ClaraBellehadbeenadoptedbytheFoggs；thustherewereonlythreemouthstofill，thecapaciousonesofElijahandElisha，thetwinboys，andoflisping，nine-year-oldSusan，thecapablehouseworkerandmother’sassistant，forthebabyhaddiedduringthesummer；diedofdiscouragementathavingbeenbornintoafamilyunprovidedwithfoodormoneyorloveorcare，orevenwithdesirefor，orappreciationof，babies。

Therewasnodoubtthattheerraticfatherofthehousehadturnedoveranewleaf。Exactlywhenhebegan，orhow，orwhy，orhowlonghewouldcontinuethepraiseworthyprocess，——inawordwhethertherewouldbemoreleavesturnedasthemonthswenton，——Mrs。Simpsondidnotknow，anditisdoubtfulifanyauthoritylowerthanthatofMr。Simpson’sMakercouldhavedecidedthematter。Hehadstolenarticlesforswappingpurposesforalongtime，buthadoftenavoideddetection，andalwaysescapedpunishmentuntilthelastfewyears。Threefinesimposedforsmalloffenseswerefollowedbyseveralarrestsandtwoimprisonmentsforbriefperiods，andhefoundhimselfwhollyoutofsympathywiththewagesofsin。Sinitselfhedidnotespeciallymind，butthewagesthereofweredecidedlyunpleasantandirksometohim。Healsomindedverymuchtheisolatedpositioninthecommunitywhichhadlatelybecomehis；forhewasasocialbeingandwouldALMOSTrathernotstealfromaneighborthanhavehimfinditoutandceaseintercourse！ThisfeelingwasworkinginhimandrenderinghimunaccountablyirritableanddepressedwhenhetookhisdaughterovertoRiverboroatthetimeofthegreatflag-raising。

Thereareseasonsofrefreshment，aswellasseasonsofdrought，inthespiritual，asinthenaturalworld，andinsomewayorotherdewsandrainsofgracefelluponAbnerSimpson’sheartduringthatbriefjourney。Perhapsthegivingawayofachildthathecouldnotsupporthadmadethesoilofhisheartalittlesofterandreadierforplantingthanusual；butwhenhestolethenewflagoffMrs。PeterMeserve’sdoorsteps，undertheimpressionthatthecotton-coveredbundlecontainedfreshlywashedclothes，heunconsciouslysetcertainforcesinoperation。

ItwillberememberedthatRebeccasawaninchofredbuntingpeepingfromthebackofhiswagon，andaskedthepleasureofadrivewithhim。Shewasnodaughteroftheregiment，butsheproposedtofollowtheflag。Whenshediplomaticallyrequestedthereturnofthesacredobjectwhichwastobethegloryofthe"raising"nextday，andhethusdiscoveredhismistake，hewasfuriouswithhimselfforhavingslippedintoadisagreeablepredicament；andlater，whenheunexpectedlyfacedadetachmentofRiverborosocietyatthecross-roads，andmetnotonlytheirwrathandscorn，butthereproachful，disappointedglanceofRebecca’seyes，hefeltdegradedasneverbefore。

ThenightattheCentretaverndidnothelpmatters，northejollypatrioticmeetingofthethreevillagesattheflag-raisingnextmorning。Hewouldhaveenjoyedbeingattheheadandfrontofthefestivepreparations，butashehadcuthimselfofffromallsuchfriendlygatherings，heintendedatanyratetositinhiswagonontheveryoutskirtsoftheassembledcrowdandseesomeofthegayety；for，heavenknows，hehadlittleenough，hewholovedtalk，andsong，andstory，andlaughter，andexcitement。

Theflagwasraised，thecrowdcheered，thelittlegirltowhomhehadlied，thegirlwhowasimpersonatingtheStateofMaine，wasontheplatform"speakingherpiece，"andhecouldjustdistinguishsomeofthewordsshewassaying：

"Forit’syourstar，mystar，allthestarstogether，Thatmakesourcountry’sflagsoproudTofloatinthebrightfallweather。"

Thensuddenlytherewasaclarionvoicecleavingtheair，andhesawatallmanstandinginthecentreofthestageandheardhimcrying："THREECHEERSFORTHEGIRLTHATSAVEDTHEFLAGFROMTHE

HANDSOFTHEENEMY！"

Hewassoreandbitterenoughalready；lonely，isolatedenough；

withnolotnorshareinthehonestcommunitylife；nohandtoshake，noneighbor’smealtoshare；andthisunexpectedpublicarraignmentsmotehimbetweentheeyes。Withresentmentnewlykindled，pridewounded，vanitybleeding，heflungacurseatthejoyousthronganddrovetowardhome，thehomewherehewouldfindhisraggedchildrenandmeetthetimideyesofawomanwhohadbeentheloyalpartnerofhispovertyanddisgraces。

Itisprobablethateventhenhis（extremelylight）handwasalreadyonthe"newleaf。"Theangels，doubtless，werenotespeciallyproudofthematterandmannerofhisreformation，butIdaresaytheyweregladtocounthimtheirsonanyterms，sodifficultisthereformationofthisblindandfoolishworld！

Theymusthavebeen；fortheyimmediatelyflungintohisverylapaprofitable，andwhatismoretothepoint，aninterestingandagreeablesituationwheremoneycouldbeearnedbydoingtheverythingshisnaturecraved。Therewerefeatsofdaringtobeperformedinsightofadmiringandapplaudingstableboys；thehorseshelovedwerehiscompanions；hewasOBLIGEDto"swap，"

forDaly，hisemployer，countedonhimtogetridofallundesirablestock；powerandresponsibilityofasortweregivenhimfreely，forDalywasnoPuritan，andfelthimselfamplycapableofmanaginganynumberofSimpsons；soherewerenumberlessadvantageswithintheman’sgrasp，andwagesbesides！

Abnerpositivelyfeltnotemptationtosteal；hissoulexpandedwithpride，andtheadmirationandastonishmentwithwhichheregardedhisvirtuouspresentwasonlyequaledbythedisgustwithwhichhecontemplatedhispast；notsomuchaviciouspast，inhisowngenerousestimationofit，asa"thunderin’foolish"

one。

Mrs。SimpsontookthesameviewofAbner’snewleafastheangels。ShewasthankfulforevenabriefseasonofhonestycoupledwiththeSaturdaynightremittance；andifshestillwashedandcriedandcriedandwashed，asClaraBellehadalwaysseenher，itwaseitherbecauseofsomehiddensorrow，orbecauseherpoorstrengthseemedallatoncetohavedesertedher。

Justwhenemploymentandgoodfortunehadcometothestep-children，andherownwerebetterfedandclothedthaneverbefore，thepainthathadalwayslurked，constantbutdull，nearhertiredheart，grewfierceandtriumphantlystrong；clutchingherinitstalons，biting，gnawing，worrying，leavinghereachweekwithslighterpowersofresistance。Stillhopewasintheairandagreatercontentthanhadeverbeenherswasinhereyes；acontentthatcameneartohappinesswhenthedoctororderedhertokeepherbedandsentforClaraBelle。Shecouldnotwashanylonger，buttherewastheevernewmiracleoftheSaturdaynightremittanceforhouseholdexpenses。

"Isyourpainbadtoday，mother，"askedClaraBelle，who，onlylatelygivenaway，wasmerelyborrowedfromMrs。Foggforwhatwasthoughttobeabriefemergency。

"Well，there，Ican’thardlytell，ClaraBelle，"Mrs。Simpsonreplied，withafaintsmile。"Ican’tseemtorememberthepainthesedayswithoutit’sextrabad。Theneighborsaresokind；

Mrs。Littlehassentmecannedmustardgreens，andMrs。Bensonchocolateicecreamandmincepie；there’sthedoctor’sdropstomakemesleep，andtheseblanketsandthatgreatboxofeatablesfromMr。Ladd；andyouheretokeepmecomp’ny！IdeclareI’mkindo’dazedwithcomforts。Ineverexpectedtoseesherrywineinthishouse。Iain’tneverdrawedthecork；itdoesmegoodenoughjesttolookatMr。Ladd’sbottlesettin’onthemantel-piecewiththefireshinin’onthebrownglass。"

Mr。Simpsonhadcometoseehiswifeandhadmetthedoctorjustashewasleavingthehouse。

"Shelooksawfulbadtome。Isshegoin’topullthroughallright，sameasthelasttime？"heaskedthedoctornervously。

"She’sgoingtopullrightthroughintotheotherworld，"thedoctoransweredbluntly；"andastheredon’tseemtobeanybodyelsetotakethebullbythehorns，I’dadviseyou，havingmadethewoman’slifeaboutashardandmiserableasyoucould，totryandhelphertodieeasy！"

Abner，surprisedandcrushedbytheweightofthisverbalchastisement，satdownonthedoorstep，hisheadinhishands，andthoughtawhilesolemnly。Thoughtwasnotanoperationhewaswonttoindulgein，andwhenheopenedthegateafewminuteslaterandwalkedslowlytowardthebarnforhishorse，helookedpaleandunnerved。Itisuncommonlystartling，firsttoseeyourselfinanotherman’sscornfuleyes，andthen，clearly，inyourown。

Twodayslaterhecameagain，andthistimeitwasdecreedthatheshouldfindParsonCarlltyinghispiebaldmareatthepost。

ClaraBelle’squickeyehadobservedtheministerashealightedfromhisbuggy，and，warninghermother，shehastilysmoothedthebedclothes，arrangedthemedicinebottles，andsweptthehearth。

"Oh！Don’tlethimin！"wailedMrs。Simpson，allofaflutterattheprospectofsuchavisitor。"Oh，dear！TheymustthinkovertothevillagethatI’mdreadfulsick，ortheministerwouldn’tneverthinkofcallin’！Don’tlethimin，ClaraBelle！I’mafraidhewillsayhardwordstome，orpraytome；andIain’tneverbeenprayedtosinceIwasachild！Ishiswifewithhim？"

"No；he’salone；butfather’sjustdroveupandishitchingatthesheddoor。"

"That’sworsethanall！"andMrs。Simpsonraisedherselffeeblyonherpillowsandclaspedherhandsindespair。"Youmustn’tletthemtwomeet，ClaraBelle，andyoumustsendMr。Carllaway；

yourfatherwouldn’thaveaministerinthehouse，norspeaktoone，forathousanddollars！"

"Bequiet，mother！Liedown！It’llbeallright！You’llonlyfretyourselfintoaspell！Theminister’sjustagoodman；hewon’tsayanythingtofrightenyou。Father’stalkingwithhimrealpleasant，andpointingthewaytothefrontdoor。"

TheparsonknockedandwasadmittedbytheexcitedClaraBelle，whousheredhimtremblinglyintothesickroom，andthenbetookherselftothekitchenwiththechildren，ashegentlyrequestedher。

AbnerSimpson，leftaloneintheshed，fumbledinhisvestpocketandtookoutanenvelopewhichheldasheetofpaperandatinypacketwrappedintissuepaper。Theletterhadbeenreadoncebeforeandranasfollows：

DearMr。Simpson：

Thisisasecretletter。IheardthattheAcrevillepeopleweren’tnicetoMrs。Simpsonbecauseshedidn’thaveanyweddingringlikealltheothers。

Iknowyou’vealwaysbeenpoor，dearMr。Simpson，andtroubledwithalargefamilylikeoursatthefarm；butyoureallyoughttohavegivenMrs。Simpsonaringwhenyouweremarriedtoher，rightattheveryfirst；forthenitwouldhavebeenoveranddonewith，astheyaresolidgoldandlastforever。Andprobablyshewouldn’tfeellikeaskingyouforone，becauseladiesarejustlikegirls，onlygrownup，andIknowI’dbeashamedtobegforjewelrywhenjustboardandclothescostsomuch。SoIsendyouanice，newweddingringtosaveyourbuying，thinkingyoumightgetMrs。SimpsonabraceletoreardropsforChristmas。Itdidnotcostmeanything，asitwasasecretpresentfromafriend。

IhearMrs。Simpsonissick，anditwouldbeagreatcomforttoherwhilesheisinbedandhassomuchtimetolookatit。WhenIhadthemeaslesEmmaJanePerkinslentmehermother’sgarnetring，andithelpedmeverymuchtoputmywastedhandoutsidethebedclothesandseetheringsparkling。

Pleasedon’tbeangrywithme，dearMr。Simpson，becauseIlikeyousomuchandamsogladyouarehappywiththehorsesandcolts；andIbelievenowperhapsyouDIDthinktheflagwasabundleofwashingwhenyoutookitthatday；sonomorefromyourTrustedfriend，RebeccaRowenaRandall。

Simpsontoretheletterslowlyandquietlyintofragmentsandscatteredthebitsonthewoodpile，tookoffhishat，andsmoothedhishair；pulledhismustachesthoughtfully，straightenedhisshoulders，andthen，holdingthetinypacketinthepalmofhishand，hewentroundtothefrontdoor，andhavingenteredthehousestoodoutsidethesickroomforaninstant，turnedtheknobandwalkedsoftlyin。

Thenatlasttheangelsmighthaveenjoyedamomentofunmixedjoy，forinthatbriefwalkfromshedtohouseAbnerSimpson；’sconsciencewakedtolifeandattainedsufficientstrengthtoprickandsting，toprovokeremorse，toincitepenitence，todoallsortsofdivineandbeautifulthingsitwasmeantfor，buthadneverbeenallowedtodo。

ClaraBellewentaboutthekitchenquietly，makingpreparationsforthechildren’ssupper。ShehadleftRiverboroinhaste，asthechangefortheworseinMrs。Simpsonhadbeenverysudden，butsinceshehadcomeshehadthoughtmorethanonceoftheweddingring。ShehadwonderedwhetherMr。LaddhadboughtitforRebecca，andwhetherRebeccawouldfindmeanstosendittoAcreville；buthercareshadbeensomanyandvariedthatthesubjecthadnowfinallyretiredtothebackgroundofhermind。

ThehandsoftheclockcreptonandshekepthushingthestridenttonesofElijahandElisha，openingandshuttingtheovendoortolookatthecornbread，advisingSusanastoherdishes，andmarvelingthattheministerstayedsolong。

Atlastsheheardadooropenandcloseandsawtheoldparsoncomeout，wipinghisspectacles，andstepintothebuggyforhisdrivetothevillage。

Thentherewasanotherperiodofsuspense，duringwhichthehousewasassilentasthegrave，andpresentlyherfathercameintothekitchen，greetedthetwinsandSusan，andsaidtoClaraBelle："Don’tgointhereyet！"jerkinghisthumbtowardsMrs。

Simpson’sroom；"she’sallbeatoutandshe’sjustdroppin’offtosleep。I’llsendsomegroceriesupfromthestoreasIgoalong。Isthedoctormakin’asecondcalltonight？"

"Yes；he’llbehereprettysoon，now，"ClaraBelleanswered，lookingattheclock。

"Allright。I’llbehereagaintomorrow，soonasit’slight，andifsheain’tpickedupanyI’llsendwordbacktoDaly，andstopherewithyouforaspelltillshe’sbetter。"

Itwastrue；Mrs。Simpsonwas"allbeatout。"Ithadbeenatimeofexcitementandstress，andthepoor，flutteredcreaturewasdroppingoffintothestrangestsleep——asleepmadeupofwakingdreams。Thepain，thathadencompassedherheartlikeabandofsteel，lesseneditscruelpressure，andfinallylefthersocompletelythatsheseemedtoseeitfloatingaboveherhead；

onlythatitlookednolongerlikeabandofsteel，butagoldencircle。